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My first scope is arriving but my home (old) doesn't have mains grounding

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taydin:
If that building is heated with a central hot water heater and metal pipes, you can use the metal pipe as a makeshift ground. It won't be a high quality ground, but still better than no ground at all.

Mr. Scram:

--- Quote from: taydin on August 09, 2019, 11:08:16 am ---If that building is heated with a central hot water heater and metal pipes, you can use the metal pipe as a makeshift ground. It won't be a high quality ground, but still better than no ground at all.

--- End quote ---
People already mentioned the issue with that. You don't know who else in the building might put tension on those pipes, potentially exposing yourself to new and unseen dangers.

Bud:
You said the building is currently being renovated. Maybe you could ask one of the electricians guys when you see them how the existing system is grounded. Or play a dummy and tell the landlord you are worried about your washing machine not being grounded and let them give you an answer.

Jeroen3:

--- Quote from: taydin on August 09, 2019, 11:08:16 am ---If that building is heated with a central hot water heater and metal pipes, you can use the metal pipe as a makeshift ground. It won't be a high quality ground, but still better than no ground at all.

--- End quote ---
No. Many modern piping is not metal anymore. Plus if the pipe suddenly fails to be a proper ground the pipe could be live. You shower would be live. Your faucet would be live.
If you own the building and have control over everybody working there, and there are RCD's on everything... then perhaps... but 21st floor means probably not owning the building.

Anyway... I dealt with this.
Make sure you have an RCD/GFCI, and make sure your DUT power supply is referenced to the scope potential before connecting the DUT. Ian talked about this.

The hazard is in connecting two floating things, you will get equalization current, this can vaporize LQFP packages depending on the capacitance behind it.

The slight problem though is the stingy to severely uncomfortable feeling if you are somehow a bit grounded and you touch your equipment receiving all Y-cap leakage current of your entire bench with equipment.

Fergo:
Thank you!


--- Quote from: Jeroen3 on August 09, 2019, 02:13:14 pm ---Anyway... I dealt with this.
Make sure you have an RCD/GFCI, and make sure your DUT power supply is referenced to the scope potential before connecting the DUT. Ian talked about this.

The hazard is in connecting two floating things, you will get equalization current, this can vaporize LQFP packages depending on the capacitance behind it.


--- End quote ---

No RCDs, only regular breakers like this one in my apartment's switchbox (not sure if that's the name, but is the place where you have all the circuit breakers and stuff... English is not my first language). RCDs only became mandatory here in 1997 and my building is from early 70s.

Replacing the regular power plug of an extension block with something link this can provide a safer work enviroment?
https://www.amazon.com/OAONAN-Replacement-Interrupter-Protection-Conditioner/dp/B073PRH8H3/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=OAONAN+GFCI+Replacement+Plug+Assembly+2-Prongs&qid=1565318806&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Thanks!

KR,
Fergo

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